Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum versus Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum .
Published on August 10, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides, retinoid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Price
Ingredient Info
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum 38 ingredients
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum 38 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum 38 ingredients
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum 38 ingredients
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum 38 ingredients
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum 38 ingredients
Water • Propanediol • Peg-8 • Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane • Methyl Gluceth-20 • Glycereth-26 • Butylene Glycol • Diglycerin • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Sodium Acrylates Copolymer • Phenoxyethanol • Lecithin • Tromethamine • Tocopherol • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Bisabolol • Sodium Hyaluronate • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Ethylhexylglycerin • Caprylyl Glycol • Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Retinal • Disodium EDTA • Glycerin • Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract • Sea Water • Maltodextrin • Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate • Hydrolyzed Algin • Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract • Sucrose • Carbomer • Coco-Glucoside • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water • Butylene Glycol • Glycerin • Diethoxyethyl Succinate • Retinol • Retinal • Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer • 1,2-Hexanediol • Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate • Niacinamide • Propanediol • Carbomer • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Calcium Alginate • Agar • Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 • Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate • Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 • Sodium Hyaluronate • Disodium EDTA • Ceramide As • Centella Asiatica Extract • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Ceramide Ns • Tocopherol • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • O-Cymen-5-Ol • Pentylene Glycol • Caprylhydroxamic Acid • Gentiana Scabra Root Extract • Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract • Carnosine • Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract • Hexylene Glycol • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Watere.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.
It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about Propanediole.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about Tocopherole.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronatee.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.
This ingredient is a retinoid. It usually goes by a more common name: "Granactive".
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes retinol and tretinoin.
Retinoids have been proven to:
So what is the difference between all the retinoids? Most retinoids need to go through a conversion line to become effective on skin. The ending product is retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is AKA tretinoin.
HPR is an ester of tretinoin. Emerging studies suggest HPR to have an added benefit that other retinoids don't have: Low irritation.
A study from 2021 found HPR to have the greatest stability when exposed to light and temperature out of all the commercial retinoids.
A note about naming: The name "Granactive" is the trade name and the name most commonly used on packages.
Granactive is the name of the mixture - about 90% solvent and 10% HPR. A product with 5% granactive has 0.5% HPR.
Learn more about Hydroxypinacolone Retinoatee.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizatee.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
Retinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about Retinale.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAe.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about Glycerine.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a 3-amino acid peptide. Peptides are building blocks for protein.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a signal peptide. This means it tells our skin to create collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes connective tissue. Boosting collagen production leads to a healthier skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier means having firm and hydrated skin.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 can help reduce wrinkles and make the skin look more youthful.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is a peptide. Peptides are building blocks for protein.
This ingredient consists of four amino acids and palmitic acid. These amino acids are arginine, proline, glutamine, and glycine.
This ingredient has many benefits. These benefits include boosting collagen production, fighting inflammation, and reversing UV damage.
By preventing our bodies from producing interleukins, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 helps fight inflammation. An interleukin is a chemical that signals to the body to produce an inflammatory response. Interleukin production is accelerated by UV radiation.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 tells our body to create more collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes connective tissue. Boosting collagen production leads to a healthier skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier means having firm and hydrated skin.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum contains this as ingredient number 38.
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 38.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum 38 ingredients
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum 38 ingredients
Usage
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When to use
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum 38 ingredients
Skintific Gentle A Retinol Renewal Serum 38 ingredients
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